The Maury Island Incident is a short film about what many consider to be the first modern-day UFO mystery involving six flying discs and what could be the first-ever “Man in Black” encounter during the summer of 1947.
The short – based on declassified FBI documents – is about Harold Dahl’s UFO sighting that occurred off Maury Island, WA, on June 21, 1947, considered as one of the first modern-day flying disc encounters. This incident – which has never before been turned into a film – happened just two days before Ken Arnold’s historic UFO sighting, and 16 days before the infamous Roswell crash.
The summer of 1947 is noted by many as the “summer of saucers,” as numerous flying disc sightings were reported throughout the US, along with increased interest and investigation by authorities from the FBI and other government agencies.
The 30-minute film was Directed by Scott Schaefer (Founder/Publisher, South King Media; 3-time National Emmy winning Writer for “Bill Nye the Science Guy“; Director, “Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t!”, “Sightings,” and others). Steve Edmiston (“The Day My Parents Became Cool,” “Crimes of the Past,” “A Relative Thing,” “Farewell to Harry,” and others) wrote the screenplay. Schaefer and Edmiston also served as Producers.
The film was shot entirely in the south Puget Sound area of Washington State, utilizing all-local crew and talent.
LOCAL FOUNDER OF PILEDRIVING COMPANY GOES ‘APE’ OVER FILM!
John White, Founder of American Piledriving Equipment (APE) and a local resident, has stepped up to pile on the majority of funding for a historic local UFO conspiracy movie that will begin filming this year.
White was recruited to the project by one of its other Co-Executive Producers, Danny House, owner of Burien’s popular Tin Room Bar and Theater. After hearing the idea from House, White went, well…ape.
“Once Danny told me the story and introduced me to Steve and Scott, I was sold,” White said. “I love unusual stories, am a huge movie buff, and the fact that this one is local – and has never been turned into a film – played a big part in my decision.”
The movie also includes a character based on the first “Man in Black,” who drove a black 1947 Buick when he met with Dahl the morning after his sighting, where he intimidated him to not talk any further about the case.
White got so enthused about the project that, shortly after expressing interest in the project, he found and purchased a restored, original, black 1947 Buick that will be used in the film. White also plans to use it to generate more attention to the Burien-born movie.
In January, 1990, White invented his own pile driving machine in his garage in White Center, then founded APE, featuring his revolutionary “heavy metal enhanced” high frequency vibrating pile driving machine that operates on using vegetable oil. APE has grown into the largest pile driving equipment company in the world, and is the largest user of hydraulic vegetable oil, as John’s machines operate exclusively on vegetable oil to prevent damage to water and soil.
White’s other ventures include Crazy Horse Motorcycles LLC, which manufactures the 45 degree V-Twin engine featured on the TV show “American Choppers.” His unique engine is the powerplant featured in Microsoft’s “Gears of War Trike” built by Paul Jr. and featured in the video game. In fact, every engine featured in Paul Jr. Design’s custom bikes was donated to the TV show by White.
White and his wife Teresa (who owns Statements Home Decor in Olde Burien) also recently purchased the historic “Forest Ledge” mansion in Seahurst, which includes the largest pipe organ west of the Mississippi. The couple is currently restoring the unique estate, which was built in 1911, and they’re hoping to move into it soon.
Shooting on the film is scheduled to begin June 21, 2013 – the 66th anniversary of Harold Dahl’s sighting. A kick-off event took place on Dec. 5th at the Tin Theater – read about and see photos here.
Other Producers of the film include Laura Beth and Scott Peterson of SAFE Boats, Danny House and Nancy Pappas-Barnhart
The film will be released on the short film festival circuit, with hopes of it either being sold to a studio, or gathering enough attention and funding for the team to do a feature-length version or television series.
KICK-OFF PARTY HELD WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5
The official kick-off party was held Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012 at the Tin Theater in Burien – read about it on The B-Town Blog here.
If you’re interested in helping with this project, email us here.
Watch for it.